Fabric to Close Indefinitely After Losing Licence

Photo: fabric

Despite a 150,000 strong petition and the newly elected mayor's supposed quest to save London's nightlife, Islington Council have made the decision to revoke Fabric's licence, forcing the iconic club to close its doors indefinitely following the deaths of two attendees earlier this year.

After a six hour debate and review, the committee sided with the Metropolitan Police, drawing the conclusion that "searches were inadequate and in breach of the license". The licencing sub-committee, who had final say on the ruling like wise commented "there is a culture of drugs at fabric which management cannot control". 

In what sets a scary precedent for the rest of London's remaining clubs, the move has been widely blasted by the entire dance music community.

What the hell is going on. Government slowly ruining literally everything. It's actually unbeleivable what's just happened to fabric

— DOORLY (@doorlydj) September 7, 2016

I'm sick to my stomach. As an American in Kentucky the Fabric mixes were my window to the world. This is inconceivable.

— The Black Madonna (@blackmadonnachi) September 7, 2016

Sad news ever today, Fabric London will remain closed. London nightlife will not be the same...

— Joseph Capriati (@josephcapriati) September 7, 2016

Closing clubs such as Fabric will have no effect whatsoever on people's use of drugs, and it seems this kind of short-sighted reaction to a wider problem could spell more trouble for London's nightlife in the very near future. However a ray of hope has been left - The Chair of the Nightltife Association, Alan Miller has said the NTIA will start of Fund For Fabric to help fight the decision. More on that when we have it.

UPDATE:

Fabric have since issued a statement: "fabric is extremely disappointed with Islington Council's decision to revoke our license. This is an especially sad day for those who have supported us, particularly the 250 staff who will now lose their jobs... Closing fabric is not the answer to the drug-related problems. Clubs like ours are working to prevent, and sets a troubling precedent for the future of London's night time economy."

More like this? A Way Of Life Returns to Ministry of Sound in October.